FRESHWATER
BANK ANGLING
(February 10th – 12th)
This event attracted 86 anglers and 30 disabled anglers (many of whom can catch
but can’t cast – so they have assistants). Most of them attended the street parade
and grand Opening Ceremony in Sandton which, Meisie Schneider said, “gave me
goosebumps – it was such a fantastic occasion”!
Competitors were accommodated at the Herberg Hotel in Oranjeville and on the
Saturday night before the tournament started, the participants attended an opening
function, where anglers were each given a “goodie bag” to make their fishing easier.
South Africa fished against Australia, Zimbabwe and Namibia and the three days of
fishing took place at Leeuplaas – a farm situated on the banks of the Vaal Dam (on
the Free State side of the dam). The disabled anglers fished for one day, at Moolmans
(which is opposite Leeuplaas), competing against a team of South African anglers.
The bank of the dam was divided into four sectors (Ladies, Juniors, Seniors and
Masters). Juniors and Ladies each had four anglers per team, with a reserve per team.
Seniors and Masters had six anglers each with a reserve per team.
Using floats, dough
and also some worm
– anglers caught (and
released) mainly Carp
and Grass Carp, as well
as some Mudfish and
Barbel. No Yellowfish
were allowed as this is a
protected Species.
Fish were weighed per
bag. The winner of the
heaviest bag for the day
was awarded one point,
2nd place two points,
third three points etc -
working on a negative
point system.